'See Idol or See Doctor': Concerns Rise Over Dangerous 'Standing Shoes' at Concerts

The Hankyoreh highlights a growing concern within South Korea's vibrant K-pop fan culture: the proliferation of 'standing shoes'—footwear with excessively high heels—used by fans to gain a better vantage point at concerts. While seemingly a minor issue, the article reveals significant safety risks and environmental consequences associated with this trend.

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You have to be over 180cm tall, including your shoe height, to see.

Concert venues, particularly standing-room-only sections, have become hotspots for this phenomenon. Fans, driven by the desire to see their favorite idols up close, are opting for platform boots with heels exceeding 10cm, and sometimes even 15cm. This trend is fueled by the perceived necessity to reach a certain height—rumored to be around 180cm when combined with the shoe height—to be able to see past other fans. The article notes the accessibility of these shoes through e-commerce platforms like AliExpress and Temu, as well as the emergence of rental services and even street vendors operating near concert venues.

The immediate consequence is a rise in safety incidents. Witnesses and participants report frequent falls, sometimes resulting in serious injuries, as fans jostle for position while wearing these unstable shoes. One online review chillingly warns, 'If you're going to fall, fall forward. You might see a doctor instead of your favorite idol.' This starkly illustrates the dangerous trade-off fans are making between visibility and personal safety.

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I often witness people falling, and some have sustained serious injuries, with blood gushing from their knees.

Beyond the physical risks, the article points to a significant environmental problem. These high-heeled shoes are often treated as disposable items. Fans purchase them specifically for a single concert or a few events, viewing them as temporary tools rather than durable footwear. Consequently, discarded shoes are becoming a common sight around major concert venues, like the Olympic Park in Seoul. Professor Lee Hong-ju of Sookmyung Women's University explains this behavior as a result of the shoes being purpose-built for concerts, lacking durability, and thus deemed not worth keeping. Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University criticizes this as 'consumption behavior that focuses on temporary convenience without considering the environment,' suggesting that concert organizers should also play a role in raising awareness and finding solutions.

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If you're going to fall, fall forward. You might see a doctor instead of your favorite idol.

The Hankyoreh frames this issue not just as a fan culture quirk but as a symptom of a broader trend of disposable consumption and a lack of consideration for safety and environmental impact. The article calls for a shift in consumer awareness and proactive measures from the entertainment industry to mitigate these negative externalities.

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They are not purchased as shoes to be worn for a long time; they are used only for concerts. It seems they are discarded because they are considered temporary consumer goods with only enough durability for single use and no value for storage.